'El Flaco' makes crosstown move

Defender-midfielder Ryan Suarez signed a contract Friday afternoon with Club Deportivo Chivas USA, whom he practiced with Friday after finalizing all the details that will let him pair in the "rebaño Angelinos" backline with Costa Rican Douglas Sequiera.

Chivas USA received the rights of the Roseville, Calif., native from the Los Angeles Galaxy in exchange for a conditional draft pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.

"I am completely thrilled to be here and form part of such an important institution like Chivas USA," Suarez said. "I promise to give my all. Especially in the clasicos against the Galaxy, who let me go and at the same time allowed me to be happy again and remain in L.A.

"You don't even know how great I feel, this will be my year. This will be the year of Chivas USA", said "el Flaco" (Skinny) as his friends and teammates call him.

Suarez, who has played in more than 80 games in MLS and has been part of the U.S national team, joined Chivas USA training camp on Friday morning, and departed with his new team to Fresno where they will play an exhibition game against the local team, the Fresno Fuego on Saturday.

Suarez now rejoins his old friend Antonio Martinez, who played with Suarez in Los Angeles and the Dallas Burn, the team where Suarez debuted in 2001.

"This is all a blessing. I get to stay in L.A. with my family and my wife, who will give birth to my first son in about a month. Life is great." concluded Suarez.

Rene Romano is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

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